Looking for an easy, inexpensive way to make your house smell great? Bring in the warm, comforting aromas of fall by simmering a few household ingredients you may already have on hand! Autumn-inspired simmering potpourri recipes are an easy and inexpensive way to make your house smell seasonally fresh using common household ingredients and without the use of harmful chemicals! Because they’re so subtle, they’re especially useful for anyone planning to put their home on the market soon — research shows that potential buyers can find overly complex fragrances too distracting. These natural fragrance recipes are light and clean, a great way to make your house smell welcoming to anyone who visits this fall!
How to Make Autumn-Inspired Simmering Potpourri:
Cut up all your ingredients and add to a small saucepan or pot. Add water until ingredients float. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately turn the heat down to a low simmer and enjoy! Add more water as needed, typically about every 30 minutes (otherwise, you’ll end up with the smell of scorched food wafting through the house–YUCK).
Try these aromatic combinations for autumn simmer scents (measurements don’t have to be exact so adjust according to your taste):
- orange peel and a teaspoon of vanilla (we like Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla Extract)
Watkins All Natural Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla, with Pure Vanilla Extract, 11 ounces Bottle, 1 Count (Packaging May Vary)
- apple peel, a few whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, orange peel
McCormick Cinnamon Sticks, 8 Ounce (Pack of 1)
- orange peel, 3 cinnamon sticks, a few whole cloves (these organic cloves smell amazing)
- sprig of fresh rosemary, a teaspoon of vanilla, lemon rind (also known as the famous “Williams Sonoma scent” and one of my favorite autumn simmer scents)
A Word of Warning…
It should probably go without saying, but being the conscientious home stager that I am, I’m going to say it anyway: don’t leave anything burning on the stove unattended. Another (safer?) alternative is to let the entire mixture of your autumn simmer scents warm in a miniature slow cooker, uncovered on the “Low” setting. We like this one:
Crock-Pot 16-Ounce Little Dipper, Chrome
Save your autumn-inspired simmering potpourri mixture in a glass jar in the fridge when you’re done (can last several days). Just reheat the next day to re-scent your home.
Selling a Home Soon?
If you’re selling your home this fall and need more tips on how to freshen up your home, Three Bears Home Staging can help! Take a look below at how we’re helping homeowners:
Book an Online Consultation
We specialize in positive and empowering virtual consultations with practical advice to help homeowners sell more quickly and for more money.
Enroll in Our Online Courses
Our online courses are designed with you, the DIY homeowner, in mind. From home staging to paint color selection, we break down the process for you from start to finish!
Read Our Book
In this second edition of her popular book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, HSR-certified professional home stager Vannessa Rhoades walks you through the step-by-step process of staging your home for a faster, more profitable sale. Available on Amazon in paperback and FREE for Kindle Unlimited customers!
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